Courtney Lawes and Joe Marchant must “go and play well” for Sale Sharks before earning a spot in England’s autumn squad. Steve Borthwick recently named his squad for his three-day camp that started on Sunday, with Lawes and Marchant left out despite their return to the Gallagher Prem with Sale Sharks making them eligible for selection. It was understood the England head coach wanted to see how the pair, who had been playing for French clubs Brive and Stade Francais respectively, got on before handing them a spot back in the team.
Now, defence coach Richard Wigglesworth has confirmed they are waiting to see how the pair fare on their return to England's top flight. "We want as much quality as we can have in the league but they are going to have to go and play well," Wigglesworth said when asked about centurion Lawes and useful midfield option Marchant. "There are some good players in the room and to pick them you have to leave someone else out, so they would have to go over and above that I would say.
"It's great to have Courtney back. He has unbelievable experience, is an England legend and has been flying in pre-season, as everyone is. "There is a real excitement about watching him back in the Prem, so I'm enjoying that.
"I have actually bumped into Joe Marchant walking around living quite close to me, so I caught up with him and it is great to have him back." Rugby union rules state only players who compete in the Gallagher Prem can be selected, meaning both players have put themselves back into contention. Lawes retired from international rugby after the 2023 World Cup, but his return to home soil has raised hopes that he could feature at the 2027 World Cup in Australia at the age of 38. "Everyone's case is individual in where you want to play your rugby and what you want to do," Wigglesworth said.
"I couldn't have given up the chance of England because I didn't play as much as loads of people. "But Courtney has said 'I've got an itch here and I'm coming back'. How good is that as a statement? 'I am coming back because I want to do this'.
"That level of determination and the qualities he has should put himself in a good spot. Experience, he has certainly got that. We are keen to watch him play." The Nations Championship begins on November 6, with England taking on Australia on November 8.
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